2 Samuel 10:6-19

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:6-14

Here we have, I. The preparation which the Ammonites made for war, 2 Sam. 10:6. They saw they had made themselves very odious to David and obnoxious to his just displeasure. This they might easily have foreseen when they abused his ambassadors, which was no other than a challenge to war, and a bold defiance of him. Yet, it seems, they had not considered how unable they were, with their thousands, to meet his; for now they found themselves an unequal match, and were forced to hire forces of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:15-19

Here is, 1. A new attempt of the Syrians to recover their lost honour and to check the progress of David's victorious arms. The forces that were lately dispersed rallied again, and gathered themselves together, 2 Sam. 10:15. Even the baffled cause will make head as long as there is any life in it; the enemies of the Son of David do so, Matt. 22:34; Rev. 19:19. These, being conscious of their insufficiency, called in the aid of their allies and dependencies on the other side of the river (2... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:6

And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David ,.... Or had made themselves odious to him, as it is rendered in 1 Chronicles 19:6 ; were abominable to him, that he was incensed against them, and enraged at them, and was determined to be avenged on them for the affront given, of which they had certain information: but instead of seeking to appease him, and give him satisfaction for the affront: the children of Ammon sent, and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob ; a place... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:7

And when David heard of it ,.... Of the preparation made by the Ammonites to fight with him: he sent Joab and all the host of the mighty men : he sent out Joab his general, and an army under his command, consisting of men of strength, valour, and courage; or all the host and the mighty men, as Kimchi and Ben Melech, the famous mighty men mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:8 ; he did not think it advisable to wait for the Ammonites, but carried the war into their own country, and, instead of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:8

And the children of Ammon came out ,.... Either out of Rabbah their metropolis, as Josephus F21 Antiqu. l. 7. c. 6. sect. 2. ; or rather out of Medeba, as it seems from 1 Chronicles 19:7 ; a city that lay on the borders of their country, and was a frontier town, see Numbers 21:30 ; and put the battle in array, at the entering in of the gate ; of the city of Medeba; they were first within the city, but, upon the approach of Joab and his army, they came out and drew up in a line... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:9

When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind ,.... Or "the face" of it F23 פני "facies", Pagninus, Montanus. ; armies appeared both before and behind, about to attack him both in front and rear; the Targum is,"and Joab saw that the warriors, or those that made war, were strong against him before and behind:" he chose of all the choice men of Israel ; the most eminent for strength, and valour, and military skill, who had been tried, and were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:10

And the rest of the people he delivered into the hands of Abishai his brother ,.... Who was a commander under him, and a very valiant man; and thus, as his enemy had two armies, he divided his into two parts, that he might the better attack them: that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon : draw them up in a line, place them rank and file to meet the children of Ammon, and give them battle. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:11

And he said, if the Syrians be too strong for me ,.... Which he might perceive by Joab's forces giving way, or by some signal agreed on between them then thou shall help me ; detach a part of his army to his support and assistance: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee ; in the same manner. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:12

Be of good courage, and let us play the men ,.... This Joab said, not only to encourage Abishai and himself, but in the hearing of the rest of the officers of the army, and of many of the people, to hearten them to the battle; who might be somewhat intimidated with the number of their enemies, and the position they were in, being before and behind them; and therefore he thought proper to make such a speech to them to animate them to light: for our people, and for the cities of our God ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:13

And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians ,.... Fell upon them; attacked them first, began the battle with them; rightly judging, that if they, being hired soldiers, were closely pressed, they would give way, which would discourage the Ammonites, who depended much upon them; and the fight, according to Josephus F24 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 7. c. 6. sect. 2.) , lasted some little time, who says, that Joab killed many of them, and obliged the... read more

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